DGCA warns aviators against wrong info from flying schools

The aviation safety regulator on Wednesday cautioned aspiring pilots to cross-check information on flight training published on the websites of some of the training institutes.

The aviation safety regulator on Wednesday cautioned aspiring pilots to cross-check information on flight training published on the websites of some of the training institutes.

The notice was issued after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) found that many institutes offering pilot and cabin crew training were running misleading information on their website. Some of them had even wrongly claimed association with the DGCA.

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“Our priority now is to caution people. We will then take action against the institutes,” said Bharat Bhushan, director general, DGCA.

Bhushan added that the DGCA had not authorised any flying training institute to act on its behalf.

The regulator found that many of these institutes faking information about the process of getting pilot licences and fees structure were based abroad. The regulator has also received several complaints from people allegedly cheated by such institutes in the past few months. As a result, the notice asked aspiring aviation professionals to visit its website www.dgca.gov.in for accurate information on courses.

Flying schools across the country have been under the regulator’s scanner since last year after the Delhi crime branch busted a fake pilot scam. At least 24 pilots working across domestic airlines were found having fake licences.

“Apart from cheating people, such institutes pose a serious threat to passenger safety,” said a senior DGCA official requesting anonymity. Air safety experts said that many flying schools also lie about the projected growth of the industry.